stc-jamesriver.org - Information Design and Management

We’ve heard it said many times: “It’s a small world.” Technologies such as portable computers, compatible cell phones, and wireless connectivity to the Internet reinforce the notion of “It’s a small world.” But for those of us working in or with cultures different from our own, the world is still a vast and varied array of distances, large and small. Technical professionals find themselves at the forefront of interaction with members of many cultures, working together in a technical environment. These technical professionals (including documentation specialists, product designers, engineers and project managers) rely on clear and effective communication across cultures to ensure safety, functionality and acceptance of their products and services in global markets.

This presentation addressed the need for raising our cultural awareness, provided a framework for discussion of national cultures, and identified strategies for project management and team building across cultures. The (outdated) concept of Corporate Culture with respect to National Culture was discussed along with real life anecdotes and tips for avoiding an intercultural communication crisis.

About the Speaker

Kathryn King is an Interculturalist with an emphasis on communication issues facing the Technical Professional. Ms. King has developed a graduate level course, Intercultural Technical Communication, for the MSPTC (Master of Science in Professional and Technical Communication) program at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). She is dedicated to promoting professionalism in the niche market where Intercultural Studies and Technical Communication converge. Consequently, she is active in SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research) and STC (Society for Technical Communication) and is enthusiastic about the STC SIG (Special Interest Group) on Intercultural Technical Communication (ITC). She has attended workshops given by the Intercultural Management Institute at the American University in Washington, D.C. and at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.

Ms. King currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria and is able to lecture for NJIT via their distance learning program. Prior to moving to Lagos, she spent five years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and served as the Executive Director for the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). In addition to her work advocating US trade in Malaysia, Ms. King has worked for ExxonMobil (Reservoir Engineering), NJIT (Special Lecturer), Autodesk (Marketing and Training) and Ventura County (Operations Analyst. Ms. King holds an MS in Professional and Technical Communication from NJIT and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University.